Countdown to Christmas with 20 days of drinks

'Tis the time to be merry. And what better way to do that then to enjoy a toast to break up the stress from the holiday hustle and bustle?

Matt Eaton, store manager at Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods in Victoria, said the holidays bring out more than just the mistletoe and fake snow.

Some of the more popular items include winter moscato and whiskeys.

"Whiskey is heavier than a vodka, and they want a drink that's less refreshing, something more warming," he said. "People gravitate to that when the weather drops."

His personal favorite, Noah's Mill Bourbon, is a 15-year-old, small-batch bourbon distilled in Bardstown, Ky. And in the Victoria Spec's, there are shelves stocked with bottles sure to satiate anyone's palate.

Egg nog is another popular winter drink, said Eaton, 27, one that people can make themselves with either brandy, whiskey or rum.

Anything Irish cream is also a good go-to liquor during the holidays, he said.

"You can mix it with coffee and hot chocolate," Eaton said.

It's also a component in some of the drinks masterfully mixed by our favorite Crossroads bartenders and drink specialists.

We asked those bartenders to share a few of their holiday drinks with us so we can all be a little more merry once it's time to open presents and carve the holiday ham.

So raise a pinky and a baby Jesus shot and cheers to the season. And, of course, drink responsibly.

Michael's Irish Cream Coke Float

3 oz. Michael's Irish Cream

1 cup of ice

Mix in blender until slushy consistency and finish off with Coca-Cola made with real cane sugar.